Assessment of the Effect of Ethanol Extract of Tridax Procumbens (linn.) on Sodium Arsenite-induced Toxicities in Male Wistar Rats

Adelabu, Olusegun O.²

¹Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan Annex, Babcock University, Ilishan, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Research and Molecular Biology Laboratories, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

^*Corresponding Author

,Adekunle O. Adeluwoye

¹Department of Medical Laboratory Science

Babcock University Teaching Hospital

Ibadan Annex

Babcock University

Ilishan, Nigeria.

Phone: +2348035434655,

Email: princekunlzy@gmail.com

Abstract

This study seeks to assess the effect of ethanol extract of Tridax procumbens (linn.) (EETP), a common procumbent plant with several potential therapeutic values, on sodium arsenite-induced toxicities in male wistar rats. Thirty five (35) male wistar rats divided into seven groups of five (5) each, were used. Rats in the pre-treatment, post-treatment and co-administration groups received 200mg/Kg body weight of EETP. Sodium arsente treated groups received 1/10 of LD50 i.e. 2.5mg/Kg sodium arsenite (SA) both in the co-treated groups and SA alone groups on day 1 and day 14, respectively. Liver enzymes, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Gamma glutamate transferase (GGT), and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and other biochemical parameters (Total Bilirubin, Total Protein, Albumin. Total Cholesterol, and Urea) were measured in tissue homogenate to evaluate toxicity in the induced animal model. Nephrotoxicity was assessed using serum creatinine level, while micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (mPCE) assessment was carried out for the genotoxicity testing. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and Dunnett's post hoc test was done for all parameters measured. Percentage weight gain was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the EETP+SA co-treated groups. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in GGT, AST, and ALT activities in the EETP+SA co-treatment groups when compared with the sodium arsenite-induced groups, in a treatment mode dependent manner with the pre-treatment group showing the most reversal of toxicity. Also, a treatment mode dependent manner of significant decrease (p<0.05) in level of Total Protein, Urea, and Total cholesterol was observed when compared with both control group and SA treated groups. There was also a significant increase in serum creatinine levels of the EETP, SA, EETP+SA co-treated groups, with the EETP+SA co-treated groups showing a combine effect. The Tridax procumbens co-treated groups show a significant decrease (p<0.05) in mPCE when compared with the sodium arsenite treated groups. Histopathological studies of tissue sections of liver and kidney done, with congested blood vessels and focal area of inflammation and/or necrosis, corroborated the observed biochemical assays. In sum, the result from this study, in conformity with previous researches, shows that administration of EETP possesses some anti-hepatotoxic and anti-genotoxicity effects. However, the ethanol extract of Tridax procumbens was also shown to possess some level of toxicity, and so specific plant part such as the leaf or flower, and/or fractional extraction of beneficial phytochemical component is recommended.

Keywords: Toxicities, Tridax procumbens, sodium arsenite, ethanol extract of Tridax procumbens (EETP), nephrotoxicity, genotoxicity, anti-hepatotoxic.

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